One position every Premier League club MUST improve in the January transfer window
The January transfer window and already clubs are making signings.Christian Pulisic has already moved to Chelsea from Borussia Dortmund and then left on loan – of course – meanwhile West Ham United have landed Samir Nasri on a free transfer.These definitely won’t be the only deals done with 20 Premier League managers hoping to improve their squads.
21Alexis Sanchez signed for United in a huge deal last JanuaryThis time last year, Liverpool did incredible business by allowing Philippe Coutinho to join Barcelona for a whopping 142million.They then quickly used the cash to break the world record fee for a defender, raiding Southampton yet again to bring in their skipper Virgil van Dijk and now they’re topping the table and on course for glory.So how can other side follow suit and strengthen themselves for the years ahead?Scroll down to see where talkSPORT.com believes every Premier League club needs to buy.
AFC Bournemouth – Cover for Nathan Ake
21Spurs have been linked with a 40m move for AkeWhile it may seem as though things could not be going smoother for Eddie Howe’s men, the Cherries boss is experienced enough in the Premier League now to know how quickly things can turn.The performances of Nathan Ake have drawn admiring glances from some of the big boys and, should a move come in, Bournemouth may need to move quick to provide cover, or a replacement.
Arsenal – A solid mid-20s centre-back
21Sokratis was brought in as a short-term optionWhile it had looked like their business would be focussed on a replacement for Aaron Ramsey, the club’s current travails show their need for a dependable centre-back of a decent age.Sokratis has come in to steady the ship has done this, to an extent, but now the Gunners must land a reliable player who has room to grow at the Emirates as Laurent Koscielny prepares to bow out.
Brighton and Hove Albion – Replacement for Bruno
21The Spaniard must surely be nearing the end of his careerAlthough Brighton fans may tell you otherwise, Bruno’s career on the seaside is surely coming to an end at some point. At 38, ‘El Capitano’ uses his tactical nous and defensive intuition to help him out at right-back, but time eventually catches up with everyone.Chris Hughton is as shrewd as they come in the transfer market, very rarely making a poor move. The former Newcastle boss will surely have an option lined up.
Burnley – Midfield creativity
21The Clarets are enduring a woeful start to the seasonSean Dyche must have thought he had cracked Premier League management as the 2017/18 season, finishing in seventh place behind the mighty Arsenal. However, this campaign has been much more of a struggle and has seen the Clarets struggle at the foot of the table.Injuries to Stephen Defour and Robbie Brady will have surely played a part, but Dyche needs much more creativity in his midfield. Ashley Westwood, Jack Cork and Jeff Hendrick are solid, but lack the imagination or guile to carve open Premier League defences.
Cardiff City – More firepower up top
21Callum Paterson struggles to find an opening against ArsenalNeil Warnock’s side were always likely to struggle in the top flight, despite securing automatic promotion last season from the Championship. The veteran boss seems to have abandoned the robust style which got them out of the second tier in order to play a more appealing brand of football.While that is all well and good, the Bluebirds need to support Callum Paterson and Bobby Reid up front, perhaps exploring the loan market to bring in a short-term signing to help fire them up the league.
Chelsea – A reliable striker
21Alvaro Morata is surely going to be sold in one of the next two transfer windowsIf the Blues had a goalscorer they would be dangerous.Another toothless display on Wednesday night saw them draw 0-0 with relegation battlers Southampton and Morata’s major contribution was a disallowed goal.There is talk of Gonzalo Higuain coming in, which makes sense given he thrived under Maurizio Sarri at Napoli.
Crystal Palace – Replace Benteke with a goalscorer
21We don’t know what happened either, ChristianThere was a time when Christian Benteke was considered one of the best strikers in the Premier League. Strong, quick, good in the air, intelligent and clinical – the Belgium international seemingly had the lot. However, the former Aston Villa striker seems totally devoid of any confidence ever since his failed switch to Liverpool.There are a host of attackers at Selhurst Park dying out for a striker to put the chances away. Wilfried Zaha, Max Meyer and Andros Townsend will provide the service, but now Roy Hodgson and Steve Parish must deliver.
Everton – More width going forward
21Theo Walcott has struggled with injuries in the pastWith Liverpool going well in the league and in Europe, fellow Merseyside giants Everton have been neglected somewhat. Marco Silva’s men are sitting pretty in sixth and are quietly going about their business.With Gylfi Sigursson through the middle, the Toffees could do with extra attackers out wide. Former England winger Theo Walcott has struggled with the injuries in the past and Brazilian duo Richarlison and Bernard have shown they can be extremely versatile.
Fulham – Premier League experience
21The Whites have had a miserable return to the top flightWith Slavisa Jokanovic losing his job after just three months of the new season, new boss Claudio Ranieri will be looking to ensure his tenure at Craven Cottage is not as short. The former Leicester City boss must use his infectious optimism and vigour to galvanise the west Londoners as they look to climb off the bottom of the table before the dreaded Christmas Day deadline.However, bringing in experienced Premier League players is vital for this group of talented, albeit novice players. Chelsea star Danny Drinkwater could be available and knows Ranieri from their days at the King Power.
Huddersfield Town – A goalscorer
21Laurent Depoitre in action for the TerriersAlthough Huddersfield are not out of trouble yet, it seems as though the ‘Second Season Syndrome’ will not be affecting David Wagner’s men.If the Terriers are to secure a third Premier League stint, they will have to start converting their chances in front of goal. A recognised, clinical striker must be top of the Terriers’ wish list.
Leicester City – More quality in midfield
21James Maddison on the ball for the FoxesThe signing of James Maddison has proved to be a revelation at the King Power, with the former Norwich City man earning a call up to the England senior squad and subsequently making his bow for the Three Lions.However, if he is off the boil, the Foxes look a little lost. The youngster needs help or else the Foxes will end up relying too much on him.
Liverpool – Declutter and improve midfield
21Henderson and Milner were overrun in midfield in ParisAlthough Jurgen Klopp may disagree, his midfielders on Wednesday night’s Champions League clash with Paris Saint-Germain were horribly exposed. Jordan Henderson, Giorginio Wijnaldum and James Milner were left shell-shocked as a deep-lying Marco Verratti had the freedom of the Parc des Princes to weave his magic.If Fabinho and Naby Keita are to prove to be the midfield duo for the Reds, then they need to have stronger options on the bench to call upon for a plan B.
Manchester City – Left back cover
21Oleksandr Zinchenko is a make-shift left backPep Guardiola seemingly has everything he could possibly want at at the Etihad with a wealth of talent at his disposal. However, another injury to Benjamin Mendy has highlighted a potential chink in the armour.Fabian Delph and Oleksandr Zinchenko have both been drafted in from their more orthodox midfield positions to provide cover, but the Spanish boss will know he needs an out and out defender he can trust in that position.
Manchester United – A centre back
21The (less-than) Dynamic DuoOle Gunnar Solskjaer has done plenty of things right at Old Trafford so far but the defence still look shaky.Against Newcastle United on Wednesday, Phil Jones made some slips and on another day the Red Devils could have found themselves 1-0 down.Throughout the summer, Jose Mourinho moaned about failing to bring in sufficient defensive cover to Old Trafford. Despite signing Eric Bailly and Victor Lindelof, the Portuguese boss was still not happy – wanting a marquee signing instead with Toby Alderweireld a major target.The United board may now, with fans back onside and Solskjaer flying, want to loosen the purse strings and bring in a world-class centre-half.
Newcastle United – Anyone who can score goals
21The Newcastle summer signings have thus far failed to deliverNewcastle fans love a hero, specifically a player who can entertain and/or score goals and while Salomon Rondon is doing okay he needs help.Rafa Benitez may be one of the most astute managers in the league and knows how to set up a team to defend, it would be great if the Magpies had a lead worth protecting more often.With Mike Ashley likely to have his hands clamped firmly over the purse strings, a loan move for a striker out of form may be the best option at this point. Andy Carroll anyone?
Southampton – A solid centre-back
21Ralph Hasenhuttl could barely contain his excitement as Southampton beat ArsenalThe Ralph Hasenhuttl era has got off to a decent start with wins against Arsenal and Huddersfield and now a draw with Chelsea.The results did sandwich two defeats but still, it’s an improvement and their performances are looking better.The Saints are not light in defence but their options aren’t the greatest with Maya Yoshida, Jannik Vestergaard, Jack Stephens, Wesley Hoedt, and Jan Bednarek hardly inspiring much confidence.
Tottenham Hotspur – Replacement for Mousa Dembele
21Dier and Dembele are not doing it for Spurs at the momentWhen Tottenham Hotspur were flying in the 2016/17 season, Mousa Dembele was at the height of his incredible ball progression role which allowed him to distribute the ball to the attacking players further up the pitch.However, with Dembele nearly always injured or unable to complete more than 60 minutes a match, Spurs seem to struggle to control games in the same way they once did.A replacement is needed if they want to get back to their controlling best rather than relying on blistering counters.
Watford – Replacement for Doucoure
21The midfielder has been eyed up by some of the Premier League big boys in recent monthsJavi Gracia’s side have had mixed season with some excellent early results now marred by a bad run in November/December..Despite only signing a new contract in the summer, Abdoulaye Doucoure is still being courted by some of Europe’s big boys – causing widespread panic at Vicarage Road. Last season, they brought in Gerard Deulofeu on loan and a similarly sized signing for the central midfield areas could provide some respite if Doucoure is to be tempted away.
West Ham United – Quality in midfield
21The Hammers will struggle to progress with Snodgrass and Noble as their holding midfieldersDespite spending more than 100million in the summer, Manuel Pellegrini is somehow lacking players for his central midfield. The signing of Jack Wilshere has (inevitably) seen the former Arsenal man injured, while Mark Noble’s ludicrous red card at Leicester has cost the Hammers in recent games.Winger Robert Snodgrass has provided temporary cover alongside Declan Rice and Pedro Obiang for the meantime. But reinforcements are desperately needed for the east Londoners’ engine room.
Wolverhampton Wanderers – Premier League experience
21So much is expected of someone so young, Ruben Neves could use the advice and wisdom of an experienced proMuch like fellow new boys Fulham, Wolves are lacking in Premier League experience throughout their squad. The signing of Joao Moutinho in the summer was shrewd, bringing in a composed head alongside star midfielder Ruben Neves.In order to stave off any lingering relegation worries, Nuno Espirito Santo should look to bring in players with a bit of Premier League savvy – to steady the ship and help them build for next season in the top-flight.Results against Manchester City and Tottenham prove they can do damage but another top star in their ranks could see them pitch a late assault on the top six.
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